Distributor control valve for tank vehicles



May 30, 1939. J. A. JENSEN ET AL ,DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL VALVE FOR TANK VEHICPES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5', 1937 VINVENTORS: Jaznes fiJenszzn 13 WITNESSES:

5 WV MZME May 30, 1939. -J. A. JENSEN ET'AL DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL VALVE FOR TANK VEHICLES Filed Feb. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 65 0 MA LD 6 65 INVENTORS:

O June's flJen san 13 Ralph ,6. Z Leyla];

g 2 TORNEYS.

May 30, 1939. J. A. JENSEN ET AL DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL VALVE FOR TANK VEHICLES Filed Feb. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTORSI James fifJiensznfiz BY Ralph/J3. Z Mylar,

\ I ORNEYS.

WITNESES a. M I Kai/ 277115. Ziegler;

May 30, 1939- J A. JENSEN ET AL 2,160,741

- DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL VALVE FOR TANK VEHICLES F'i-led Feb. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG WITNESSES; INVENTORS:

Jim L65 5C Jknslen 15:.

May 30, 1939. J. A.'JENSEN ET AL 2,160,741

DISTRIBUTQR CONTROL VALVE FOR TANK VEHICLES Filed Feb. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 19 a. AI

- J gigs/T6125: 5 m anus ensen %w d. I y Ralph-B. Zieylz;

y 1939- J. A. JENSEN ET AL 2,160,741

DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL VALVE FOR TANK VEHICLES Filed Feb. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1? 9 MIL J9 FICfJCIZ 12/ I f I 63 595 I M 16 21 fz 65 50 158 H 2 ll )1? 69 7 1] L I I v 2Z\I 29 51 16 Q) 5 70 F Z5 15 M WITNESSES: 26 J JlYfiNTORS: &

ames ensen fi V m y WTORNEYS.

Patented May 30, 1939 PAT roFFIcE ms'ramn'ron CONTROL vALvEron'rANK vsmcms James A. Jensen and Ralph B. Ziegler, Philadel phia, Pa., assignors to Quaker City Iron Works,

Philadelphia, Pa., a vania corporation of Pennsyl- Application February 5, 1937, Serial N,o. 1"24,18il

'13 Claims.

This invention has reference in its b. oader aspects to distributor systems including pipin portation of liquid products'like fuel oils-flubrieating oils, gasoline and so forth. Tank vehicles 10 of the type'indicated are usually arranged "so that the various liquids contained .in the severalcompartments can be pumpedthrough a meter and reel, through the, meter only, or allowed to dis charge by gravity byway of said meter or to 115 b'y-pass it. In addition, it issomet mes necessary to pump oils or other liquids out of ground or.

other storage tanks back into the truck compartments, in case the wrong grade of oil has been delivered or has to be removed for other "causes; while in some cities it'is required by law that v the .delivery hose line and piping be'blown clear after: deliveries, etc., are made- ,The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel distributor control of the type above 25, indicated in which the piping and number of valvesare respectively simplified and reduced to the minimum. "j

Another important object is to provide a distributoi; for multi-compartment tank vehicles comprising a single control valve'whic con nectable with the oilpump, meter and reel, or maybe turned to eifect flow control from any one or more of the tank compartments; or between selected compartments. A A further abject is the provision of an improved type of multi-way distributor. valve embodying novel means for its efflcient-lubrication. Other objects andadvantages, more or less ancillary to the foregoing, and the manner in w iqh they 'are realized in practice, will be apparent from a more complete examination of the fol lowing description which, considered in {connection withthe accompanying sheets of drawings, sets forth one practical embodiment of the inventive features.

Generally stated, this invention consists of the novel devices. combinations of means, and arrangements of parts hereinafter disclosed, illus- .trated by .the drawings-,-and more tersely ex pressed in the claims atthe conclusion hereof. In the drawings: 1

Fig.1 is a plan view of a multi-compartment tank vehicle embodying the essential features of this invention; said vehicle being indicated in 'by the arrows X[XI in Fig.

dot-and-dash outline, with'the forepart broke away for convenience in illustration.

Fig. II is atop plan view of an improved multi- 1 way control valve formin-g an important item in the novel distributor-system of this invention. 5

Fig. III is an elevationof the upper portion of the control valve. V

. Fig. IV is a fragmentarydetail, partly in section, and later, on more fully described. a

Fig'. V is a vertical section throughthe valve, .10 with the plug mainly in elevation to better illustrate certain lubricator passages or grooves,v as viewed Approrgimately on the; plane VV of Fig. 11."

i Fig. V1 is a perspective view ofthevalye plug. lll

Fig. VII is an axial section ,of the valve plug, with the stem in elevation.

Fig. VIII is a sectional plan on the plane VI1IVIlI-o'f Fig. v. 1

. Fig; IX. is a corresponding section with the 20 valve plug in a different position. l

'. Fig. X is{ asomewhat similar fragmentary section showing the plu'gtin a further position.

Fig. XI'isa vertical section, .taken as indicated Fig. XII is a broken plan view of-adistributor system with the controlvalve plug of this invention in position for pumping-from-a source of supply or storage of liquid into any selected compartment or bompartments of the tank vehicle. Fig; XlII is a similar view, showing how .pumping from any selected tank compartment through -.the reel with by-passing of the meter is effected. Fig; XIV illustrates how air may be blown through the system and hose line. v

Fig. XV is a similar view to Figs. XII-XIV, but showing how any selected tank compartment can. be emptied by gravitation through the meter.

. Fig. XVI is a corresponding illustration show- 1 ifig how'emptying of any selected tank compar't- 40 ment is effected by gravity with by-passing of the meteria'nd, T Fig. XVII is a like view, showing how to pump fromany selected compartment through the mete nd reel. In ll the views, corresponding p'arts'ai'e designated by like reference characters. 1 I Referring more in detail to the drawings, and. ,flrstly to Fig. I, the outline of -a standard type of multi-compartment tank vehicle for'the trans? o "portation of liquids-iscomprehensively designated by the reference character 'I, and the -respective compartments by the numerals 2, 3, 4,.and 5; while 'the customary utility or bucket-boxis de'signated as 6, and in which is located-the conventional hose reel 1. Each of the compartments 2-5 inclusive, is provided with an outlet or discharge conduit respectively characterized 8, 9, I8 and II, all connecting into a manifold including associated cross-valveunits l3, l4, I and I8, whereby discharge of liquid from the compartments aforesaid is controlled and shut-off in accordance with known practice.

From one end of the manifold l2 a. pipe I! connects into the bottom of the single multiway control valve of this invention and as best understood from Fig. V and Figs. XII-XVHyinclusive, said valve being comprehensively designated I8, and the pipe connection thereto having an interposed gate valve l9, for a purpose later on fully explained.

Referring now, more particularly, to Figs.

having a coaxial opening 29, through which the valve plug 38 passes. This plug 38, as separately illustrated in Figs. VI and VII, is of novel formotion, that is to say it is generally of inverted frusto-conical shape, 'and embodies a tubular Item 3|, the upper portion 32 of which is preferably of rectanguler cross-section, while the bore thereof is provided with a screw-thread 33, a seat 34 for a check valve 35, and a further reduced passage 38 in flow-communication with a radial duct 31 in the valve plug head 38. The radial duct 31-, in turn, communicates into a passage39 extending through a longitudinal rib 48 in parallel relationto the plug axis, with a radial outlet 4| through said rib in the lower end 38 of the valve plug 38; while said radial duct 31 and outlet 4|, respectively open out into circumferential grooves 42, 43 around the plug 38, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. It is also to be observed that the valve plug 38 is formed with an axial bore 44 and a reinforcing rib or medial diaphragm 45, in the same plane as that of the valve body diaphragm 28 hereinbefore referred to, said former diaphragm serving to substantially separate elongated passagesthrough the plug wall spaced ribs or enlargements 48, 41 into upper and lower ports 48, 49-and 58, 5|, respectively, and to reinforce the valve. In addie tion to the just pointed out structural features of the valve plug 38, it is to be further noted said plug is provided with exterior longitudinal grooves 52, 52"and a lower common connectinggroove 53, to each sideand below the ports 48, 4'9 and 58,5 for collection and distribution of lubricant; and also that by virtue of the spaced ribs or enlargements 48, 41, there is defined in the plug 38 an arcuate-section longitudinal cut-out 54 intermediate said enlargements and the plug head 38 and its cylindrical lower portion 38".

Operative in the threaded bore of the valve plug tubular stem 3| is agrease-screw 55 having an appropriate head 58-whereby it can be manipulated or removed for supply of a suitable lubri cant into the bore part 33 and check valve 35 and from thence forced into the connecting passages, ducts and grooves 38, 31, 39, 4|, 42 and 43. Fitting the top of the valve body 28 is a cover 81 including a gland 58 for ensuring a leakage- ,proof joint around the valve plugstem 3| and an anti-friction bearing 58 to prevent binding of the plug 38 in the valve body 28; while an interposed gasket 59 between said cover and body portion efiects a similar joint thereat. surmounting the cover 51 is a quadrant 88, Figs. II-IV, having bracket portions 8|, by means of which it is supported in spaced relation to said cover through the medium of suitable securing devices 'Ifhis quadrant 88 as best understood from Fig. II, is conveniently-divided into five sections as illustrated, and consecutively marked a, b, c, d and e, each of which bears appropriate data or legends with an associated pointer 83, for registration by a projection 84 at the outer end 'of an indicator arm 85 clamped to the rectangular portion 32 of the plug stem 3|; while an appropriate valve operating handle 88 is likewise at-' tached to said rectangular portion. A by-pass groove 81 afiords flow-communication between the circumferential groove 43 and the connector groove 53 only in predetermined positions of the valve plug 38 relative to the valve I8, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. I, II, and XII-XVII, inclusive, the branches 22, 24, of the multi-way control valve l8, are respectively connected by pipes 88, 89 to a suitable pump I8 operative by a shaft 1|, from any suitable source of power such as the vehicle motor; while the valve branch 23 communicates by a pipe I2 to an air separator 13, in turn connected to an appropriate meter 14, quantrol valve 15 and four-way union l8, and from one branch of the latter a pipe 11 connects with the branch 2| of the valve I8. Opposed to, or in alignment with, the pipe 11 is a supply connection including a stop valve I8; and in similar relation to the pipe 12 is a fiow connection 19 to the reel nozzle 88, said connectionhaving an interposed handy-gate valve 8|.

The operation of the multi-way control valve 8 will now be described, it being assumed firstly that the operating handle 88 has been turned through 180 to bring the indicator arm projection 84 into registration with the pointer 83 of the quadrant section a. Now it will be apparent by reference to Figs. IX and XII that by applying a suitable connection such as a hose line, not shown, to an underground storage tank or other source of liquid supply for filling any selected tank compartment 2-5, opening the stop valve I8, and setting the pump 18 in operation, liquid from such storage or supply will be drawn by way of the pipe 11 and branch 2| into the valve l8, through the arcuate cut-out 54 of the plug 38 and pipe 89, to the pump 18; and forced by said pump through the pipe 88, branch 22 and ports 49, 5|, into the plug bore 44 and pipe I! to manifold l2 and tank compartment 4 (for example), should the associated valve |5 be the selected one opened. On the other handQif it is desired to fill the tank compartment 4,- or any other selected one whose valve |3-|8 may be open at the time, by suction through the hose on the reel 1, the operator simply closes the stop valve 18 and opens the handy-gate valve 8|. Furthermore, if it is desired to use the piunp I8 independently for any desired purpose, the manifold valves |2 will be all closed and the gate valve 9 opened for discharge, whereupon the pumping cycle will be as above first described excepting that discharge takes place through said valve l9.

When the operating handle 88 is turned to bring the projecticm 84 into registration with the pointer 63 of the quadrant section b for the purpose of'pumping liquid from any one of the tank compartments 25 (or 4 as above referred to) and to bypass the meter I4, the valve I5 is opened as well, as the valve 8|, while the valves I9, 15 and I8 are closed. On reference to Fig. XIII, it will be seen that the resulting suction-flow is from the compartment 4 through pipe II, valve plug bore 44, ports 48, 58, passage 24, and pipe 69, to the pump from whence it is forced by way of the pipe 68, branch 22, plug cut-out 54, branch 2|, pipes IT and I9 to the reel nozzle 88 to discharge; thereby by-passing the meter I4. Or, by closing the valve 8|, discharge may be effected via thestop valve 18 upon opening the latter;

When it is desired to blow air through the pipe and hose lines of the system, the indicator arm 65 is placed as set forth in the preceding paragraph, all the manifold cross-valves |3-|6, as well as the valves I5, 18 being closed, and the valves l9, 8| opened. On reference to Fig. XIV, when the pump I8 is set in motion, it will be seen that air will be drawn through the open valve l9 and pipe I'I into the valve plug bore 44; thence through the ports 48, 58, branch 24 and pipe 69 to the pump III; by whichit is forced through the pipe 68, branch 22, valve plug cutout 54, branch 2|, pipes 11, 19 and hose nozzle 88 to clean out the parts aforesaid and the hose (not shown) connected to the nozzle 80 free'of any contained liquid, resultant from making a delivery or otherwise, as is required by law. in some parts of the Country.

In order to empty any one, or all, of the vehicle tank compartments 25 by gravity through the meter I4, the indicator arm 65 is moved by the operating handle 66 to bring the projection 64 into registration with the pointer 63 of the quadrant section c, whereupon the manifold crossvalve l5; for example, or any other or all of the valves |3|6, is or are opened, as well as the valves 15,18; while the valves l9 and 8| are closed. The resultant gravity flow, see Fig. XV, from the valve |5 will be by way of the pipe |'I, valve plug bore 44, ports 49, 5|, branch 23, pipe I2, air separator I3, meter 14, valve I5, union I6,

registration with the pointer 63 of the quadrant section d, and assuming the various valves being placed in the respective open and closed positions just above described, all the change made is to simply close the valve I5; or, in other words, have the valves I9, and 8|, closed with the tank compartment valve I5, for example, and the valve 18 open. The gravity-flow course from the valve I5, see Fig. XVI, will be via pipe valve plug bore 44, ports 48, 50, branch 2|, pipe 11, union I6, and valve 18, to discharge.

To pump from any one or more of the tank compartments 25 through the meter I4 and reel I, the indicator arm 65 is turned to bring its projection 64 into registration with'the pointer 63 of the quadrant section e, whereupon the valves l9 and I8 are closed, and the valves "I5, 8| opened. Upon setting the pump III in operation, the suction flow will be from the valve I5, for instance, through the pipe I'I, valve plug bore 44, ports 49, 5| branch 24 and pipe 69 to said pump, while the discharge is by way of the pipe 68,

.branch 22, plug cut-out 54, branch 23, pipe I2,

.air separator 13, meter .14, valve I5, union I6,

valve 8| and pipe I9 to the reel nozzle 88. By closing the valve 8|, discharge may, obviously, be effected through the valve I8 upon opening the latter. I

Attention is now directed to the lubricating of the valve l8, and which is only efiected when the plug 30 registers with the quadrant positions designated a and e, or its first and fifth setting, respectively; inasmuch as only in said positions of the plug will the one or the other end of the arcuate. connector-groove 53 be in registration with the bypass groove 61. When in the position e, for example, Figs. VIII and IX, it will be apparent that lubricant can pass from the plug lower circumferential groove 43 to the arcuate connector groove 53 via the bypass 61. Similarly when the valve plug 30 is in first position designated a on the quadrant 68, the opposite end of the arcuate connector, groove 53 will be in registration with the bypass groove 61. ,In both of these positions it will be apparent that by inward progression of the grease screw 55 lubricant can be forced past the stem check-valve 35, into the plug passages 36, 31, circumferential upper groove 42, as Well as downwardly through the passage 39, to the radial outlet 4| and lower circumferential groove 43,by-pass groove 61 to the arcuate connector groove 53, and finally upwards in the longitudinal grooves 52 and 52. Otherwise expressed, when the valve |8 is in positions a and e the bypass 6'! connects the bottom groove 43 and upper arcuate connector groove 53. Lubricant can now be forced under pressure into all of. the grease grooves. is checked by means of the ball valve 35 and a pressure maintained. If the verticalgrease grooves 52, 52' were not cut off from the source of supply as soon as the valve I8 is moved from position a or e they would be uncovered as they passed over the valve ports or branches 2|--24, and'as the lubricant is under pressure it would be forced out-into said branches. The cut-off prevents this occurring and disconnects the vertical grooves 52, 52' from the source of supply; passages 36, 31 and 39, etc. If it were possible to force lubricant into the vertical grooves 52, 52

at any position, the lubricant would be lost when the vertical grooves are exposed to a port opening or branch 2|24. In all of the other positions b, c and d of the plug 38, the bypass 61 will be cut-out or shut-oif as readily appreciated from Fig. X and examination of the drawings.

It isto be remarked that the valve plug is balanced against vertical displacement by providing in the top of the'valve plug 30, orifices 38', Fig. VI, preferably to each side of the longitudinal rib 40, so as topermit access of the liquid passing through thevalve l8 to enter the space intervening said plug top and the underside of the cover 51, so as to maintain the plug 38 normally in operative coaction with its seat, in an obvious manner.

From the foregoing disclosure it will be clearly The lubricant apparent that we have produced a novel distribudeparture from the spirit and scope of said invention; accordingly, the right is hereby reserved to all variations in detail, as well as other applications of' the inventive items involved, that may be comprehended by reasonable interpretation accorded the following claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In liquid distributor control systems as hereinbefore defined a multi-way control comprising a valve casing with oircumferentially-spaced branches and a flow inlet, an annular flow separating flange in the casing having a coaxial orifice; and a valve member in said casing having an axial bore with lateral ports and including a diaphragm portion coactive with the easing flange aforesaid. in defining different flows through the control.

2. In liquid control systems including a multiway control comprising a valve casing with circumferentially-spaced branches, 'a flow-inlet, and an interior apertured flange-like reinforcement; an axially bored laterally ported valve member in the casing including a rib-portion coactive with the flange-like reinforcement aforesaid in governing flow through the valve casing, spaced grooves in the valve member wall with a common connection at one end and an associated circumferential lubricant feed groove, and a by-pass in the casing wall whereby the lubricant can only be supplied to the connected grooves from said feed groove when the remote ends of the common connection aforesaid register with the by-pass. r

3. In liquid control systems including a multiway control comprising a valve casing with circumferentially-spaced orifices, a flow-inlet and an interior apertured reinforcing flange; the combination of a ported and axially bored valve member in the casing including a rib-portion coactive with the casing interior flange in goveming flow through the control; plural longitudinal groovesin said plug outer portion with a common connection at their lower ends and an associated circumferential feed groove, and a vertical by-pass in the casing wall whereby lubricant can only be injected when one of said longitudinal grooves is in registration with the by-pass.

4. In liquid control systems including a multiway control comprising a casing with opposed flow branches, a flow-inlet, and a mediallylocated orificed reinforcing flange; the combination of a plug valve in the casing having an axial bore and spaced longitudinal ports with an intervening cut-out, a medial annular rib dividing the longitudinal ports into separate portions and coactive with the reinforcing flange of the casing in governing flow through the control; and associated passages and spacedly connected grooves in the plug valve with a single by-pass in the casing inner wall whereby lubricant can only be forcedly by-passed into the said grooves when the plug valve isturned into either of two predetermined positions.

5. In liquid control systems including a. multiway control comprising a casing with diametrically-opposed flow branches, a. basal flow-inlet, and a medially-located'interior apertured flange; the combination of a plug valve with a tubular stem, said valve having an axial bore and circumferentially-spaced longitudinal ports with an intervening arcual cut-out, and a surrounding, rib separating the longitudinal ports into upper and lower portions and coactive with the apertured flange in the casing for governing flow through the control; radial and longitudinal passages in, with circumferential and connected longitudinal grooves about, the plug valve, 9. by-

; pass in the casing inner-wall, and means whereby lubricant can be injected by way of the valve stem bore passages and connected longitudinal grooves only when either of the latter grooves is in registration with the by-pas's.

6. A plug valve as defined in claim 5 provided with a radial passage from its tubular stem bore to an upper circumferential groove about the plug valve, a down passage from said radial outlet to a lower radial passage communicating into another associated circumferential groove, said valve also having spaced longitudinal grooves with a common arcual connector-groove at their lower ends about the second mentioned circumferential groove, and a by-pass groove in the valve casing inner surface which, when the plug remotely-spaced ends'of the arcual connectorgroove only register therewith, afford flow-passage for lubricant from the plug stem into all .of the passages, grooves and by-pass groove aforesaid.

7. In a multi-way control for liquid distributor systems comprising a casing with diametricallyopposed flow branches, a basal flow-inlet, and an interior apertured reinforcing flange; the

' combination of a plug valve having an axial bore and spaced longitudinal ports with an intervening cut-out divided into upper and lower sections, and a'medial reinforcing rib for coaction with the casing interior apertured flange, said valve embodying a tubular stem including an interiorly screw-threaded. portion, an axially )aligned passage of less diameter defining a seat, and a radial outlet from said passage into a circumferential groove around the valve head; a down passage through the valve body with a re.- dial outlet into an associated lower circumferential groove; spaced longitudinal grooves in the plug valve outer surface with a common connector groove at their lower ends; and a longitudinal by-pass groove in the casing. inner surface adapted to complete flow-passage from the plug stem into all of the-outlets, grooves and passages only when the spaced longitudinal grooves are respectively moved into-registration with said by-pass, groove.

8. In a multi-way control for liquid distribu- I tor systems comprising a casing with diametrically-opposed flow branches, a basal flow-inlet, and an interior medially-located apertured reinforcing flange; the combination of a plug valve having an axial bore and spaced longitudinal ports with an intervening cut-out divided into upper and lower sections, and a circumferential reinforcing rib for coaction with the casing interior flange, said valve embodying a tubular stem including an interiorly screw-threaded portion, an axially aligned passage of less diameter defining a seat, and a radial outlet from said passage into a circumferential groove around the valve head; .a down passage through the valve body with a radial outlet into an associated lower circumferential grobve; spaced longitudinal grooves in the plug valve outer surface with a common connector groove at their lower ends; a longitudinal by-pass in the casing inner surface completing flow communication through and about the plug valve only when the lower check valve into all of the passages, outlets and grooves aforesaid.

9. In a multi-way control for liquid distributor systems comprising a casing with diametricallyopposed flow branches, a basal flow-inlet, and an interior medially-located apertured reinforcing flange; the combination of a plug valve having a an axial bore and spaced longitudinal ports with an intervening cut-out divided into upper and lower sections, and a medial reinforcing rib for coaction with the casing interior flange, said valve embodying a tubular stem including an interiorly screw-threaded portion, an axially aligned passage of less diameter defining a seat, and a radial outlet from said passage into a circumferential groove around the valve head; a down passage through the valve body with a radial outlet into an associated lower circumferential groove; spaced longitudinal grooves in the plug valve outer surface with a common connector groove at their lower ends; a longitudinal. bypass in the casing inner surface completing flow communication through and about the plug valve only when the lower portions of the remotely spaced longitudinal grooves register therewith;

means for supplying lubricant under pressure to the valve tubular stem; a check valve in the tubu-' lar stem engaging the seat portion therein; a screw engaged in the valve stem threaded-portion with means whereby it can be independently rotated to force lubricant past the check valve into all of the passages, outlets and grooves aforesaid; and means defining variable stop positions for the valve to govern different flows through the con-- trol.

10. In a multi-way control for liquid distributor systems comprising a casing with diametricallyopposed flow branches, a basal flow-inlet, and an interior medially-located apertured reinforcing flange; the combination of a plug valve having.

an axial bore and spaced longitudinal ports with .an intervening cut-out divided into upper and a lower sections, and a reinforcing rib for coaction with the casing interior flange, said valve embodying a tubular stem including an interiorly screwthreaded portion, an axially aligned passage of less diameter defining a seat, and a radial outlet from said passage into a circumferential groove around the valve head; a down passage through the valve body with a radial outlet into an associated lower circumferential groove; spaced longitudinal grooves in the plug valve outer surface with a'common connector groove at their lower ends; a longitudinal by-pass in the casing inner *5 surface completing flow communication through and about the plug valve only when the lower portions of the, remotely spaced longitudinal grooves register therewith; means enabling supply of lubricant under pressure into the valve tubular stem; a check valve in the tubular stem'engaging the seat portion'therein; a screw engaged in the valve stem threaded-portion with means whereby it can be independently rotated to force lubricant past the check valve into all of the passages, outlets and grooves aforesaid; means defining and rotatively governing different positions of the plug valve for variable flows through the control, said means comprising a quadrant divided intoappropriate sections bearing suitable flow-directions; and an indicator element carried by the plug valve stem.

11. In a multi-way control for liquid distributor systems comprising a casing with diametrically opposed flow branches, a. basal flow-inlet, and an interior medially-located apertured reinforcing flange; the combination of a plug valve in the casinghaving an axial bore and spaced longitudinal ports with an intervening cut-out divided into upper and lower sections and a medial reinforcing rib for coaction with the interior flange of the casingin governing flow through the control, said valve embodying a tubular stem incluclin the casing inner surface completing fiow coinmunication through and about the plug valve only when the lower portions of the remotely spaced longitudinal grooves registertherewith; means enabling supply of lubricant under pressure into the valve tubular stem; a check valve in the tubular stem engaging the seat portion therein; a screw engaged in the valve stem threadedportion with means whereby it can be independently rotated to force lubricant past the check valve into all of the passages, outlets and grooves aforesaid; means defining and rotatively goveming different positions -of the plug valve for predetermined flows through the control, said means 11 wherein the plug cut-out is defined by longi- 5 tudinal circumferentially-spaced inwardly-directed rib-portions of said plug valve and the exterior surface ofthe axial bore .wall, and the cut-out is divided into upper and lower sections by an intervening arcualweb-like portion.

JAMES A. JENSEN. RALPH B. ZI'EGLER. 

